USA Vs. Guatemala, 2014 World Cup Qualifying: USMNT Just Barely Hanging On

There is only one thing that matters in World Cup qualifying -- the result. The United States may have been poor all match and an argument can easily be made that Guatemala has been better, but they are just 15 minutes away from three points and in qualifying that is all that matters.

Guatemala is really pouring the pressure on now. They have had the bulk of the chances and have had good ones at that. They just missed the post on several occasions and Marco Pappa forced Tim Howard into a brilliant save to keep this one level. It's been all Guatemala, but zero goals and that is all that matters.

There are 15 minutes left for the U.S. to hold on. They don't need to be good and they don't need to impress. They just need to hold on.

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USA Vs. Guatemala, 2014 World Cup Qualifying: Referee Robs USMNT Of A Goal

The United States has to be irate right now because they just scored to go up 2-0 on Guatemala, but the referee waved it off. Instead of counting Jozy Altidore's goal, he whistled for a foul a half-second earlier, apparently unaware of this thing called "advantage."

It was a pretty textbook play. The ball was at the top of the box on Clint Dempsey's foot when he was fouled. The ball squirted free right to Altidore, who was in all alone on goal. He slide the ball into the side netting and goal, right! Wrong. The referee, fixated on the foul blew the whistle, awarded a free kick and did not award the goal. It was exactly why advantage exists, yet the referee decided not to play it for reasons only he knows.

If Guatemala scores, this one is going to sting for the U.S. They should be up 2-0 and instead are just up 1-0.

Check out our Guatemala vs. USA StoryStream for all of your preview, live and post-match coverage. For more on this match and the entire world of soccer, follow @SBNationSoccer on Twitter.

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